Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCWQ6aLPZE
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDikrvgODHt
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2lpdmnVsu
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8J4faJ6gV
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfMwxa3EuU
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfyUmogsGm
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjuQJywAEf
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVufZ6vvAI
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNuefx8qAs
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1NJMMBfYN
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntSrWwpWGx
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeYhBcqbdD
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1GQC93s2Z
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYSR3j0jjC
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL1QUijU4D
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdm1Hnrzoz
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpDNImvwTu
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI6gxi7VQx
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9ze3m1EJW
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCqo3sQuWs
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIZcvQ6QVn
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOrryVZy72
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9MjPUFntb
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ156ERUYXYc
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ5KprSPWV
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitvIASzNRd
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWZGfQsfrR
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mWpw0Vzoa
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzwHyautoB
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMVtqA7Mf8
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAWBI8vMuQ
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU1hxN7ABO
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhXSM4CTh9
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFk3JgvvMN
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuxFI3pskw
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL3wUfStJt
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKL1G3xvQ7
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP5CIOYLhr
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWZJdB28UR
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRJt0cZ5LZ
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsEdpXTdUF
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl7X9ux4FT
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV87W6ghGj
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8RaqDVWnQ
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCat73G4bNn
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2wZ3r2RfE
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRLFLS44Xf
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDOBVA8kDj
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDbjxlcDWI
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtyky1f20c
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPyLfbBVVA
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSkCxWwdW4
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fdz0aAcXi
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSLcmQH3NY
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXU6mBXrVe
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe01MRF74i
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRpIKWV7g9
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOjTh9nenX
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBnM5Owjvy
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC0HCNVVBS
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag6VOy6kd4
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXqV6lGQaz
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxkJty4j1r
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbphURmpA4
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj15Jvn8x4
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7Mi1y13LX
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7g75mMa9C
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FR6YpJK8l
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw1MNkwbCG
happen again.
Charles had told127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gi4K5Cp3z
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hUlovqcoL
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwvuKEC6Xn
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvdQ4sHX7P
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8YkRoHFE8
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vUqbRm6Vm
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqqEsR5OaK
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY2RnguVgQ
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYRbj9UFwy
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCRk4rw14d
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfUswZq8lu
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DWdpeE9gE
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZpL39mj5s
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILZLHmxsIz
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUwzm0ykfp
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4PkLS8szW
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AaWmF0Mgz
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX7DnBnDbA
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaP1zpS0Cz
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsK7obmFGsg
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNEM6xeROx
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZOPy8XP1z
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMFfflqb3g
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixbOR0fbW4
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxKw6Hn0z4
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iEPpzG2qh
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kVDCP9n0c
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidPVQjRu5k
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k4ilHKI7v
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4kCskcgFx
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8RHA3YEJl
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySv3DwNWtT
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEXmrMoCXh
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMpr8Y3yw1
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCANq94qOj
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyCEJeTGQs
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlXLlsDdOY
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL42PByX0n2
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw0xsjWPW4
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu20UlcBFtL
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWZHxRJF1X
she needed our order.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwq3nZiuH6
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGc8aTRTha
“Yes127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCOEPPdARf
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK04r8NXOS
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT1YFsA0Le
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Gv0ZKIjWq
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBcOMTAUny
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2lcZEet9t
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2cyOsuxTP
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZa0HUam8Y
walked over towards them.
“Do you think127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELOHIFofD7
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrWwvPQzaT
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEcSKlVMRI
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8aU8umRqE
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEOszfcMav
to handle this?”
“You go in and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqTbabEalR
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYPehp2c2P
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ggwyKFQAD
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRZm8J26DM
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5AncOevOw
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTVy9A0Llg
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiB0rxvkIm
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIXn3Ua4mO
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1EWcHU2Ux
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq1ARHpzWW
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJPyKZQQay
uncommon.
As they made127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJznmhITKA5
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgEhvmKWHQ
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYOW4CRLl9
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwnUbhBibI
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBc5Vzu0X8
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvfPH28Jsq
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgShaSfyzdM
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZTpc0N4vA
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EnWaEwMuh
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NSS4W3UJX
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZuNKgotIZ
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcCR0aGoHz
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdAP7N1Q49
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvVxOqBGCL
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbTYc7W46E
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL7nXh266K
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWBacJkq9I
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nInieVmLB
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3DpTlXA0E
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzCOZ2RTIW
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4NwCyVVho
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBBWF2lywQ
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cs4ZDVKio
came racing over.
“What in the name127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlNIJ5B05I
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u1FupKLl5
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68WUjuuS0k
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxgOpjFSGO
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZZNEAUHt5
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpKQqDesLq
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LlVMmd9PW
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQkSQdIyam
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUGhOgweZS
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmha2j4Opw1
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypnhyFJw4A
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yb9tVmGYH
was going on.
“Clear out of the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBhMNvFIEZ
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RkyNU6poq
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRGRr5CyF
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOQIGr6xEV
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtubV23XZR8
he froze.
“What are you127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6PXKN2zYs
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63mr0wMe74
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnIDKFY5SG
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprMb7yL5h
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklzAdzdhdn
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7jTAtU0mT
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycfO5x6vD0
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUNbOThRme
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV9f8PUuKs
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOnu36mDIL
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWYZldS5TV
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDWSDP3ptH
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dkfWmWqLX
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZQ69bAGt4
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG1bEk6nef
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu8JW2FsPv
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgdvzCVfH6
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuUzrkv9Wl
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWivscDij3l
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPoMUazxjX
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEZT1ksm7H
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCWzbVSOWD
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eFidyPH5K
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHiPLVzGOx
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCojhBmVzC
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMZwRz8bzB
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnI9twuC8S
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYBbl9LwvH
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0voeJqNay6
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPTBTSpl8P
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpjhCQPUZe
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmpZjkbjYi
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9rjG2saBX
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndxDDmCklC
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYs2gOdQFf
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOvE7gLMOn
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeB68Rxtex
tightly. He made the first move. He drew127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkjIV3ZKEf
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllINmg5eGd
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjDHkBvNWg
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv5kq9CddX
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhV3bqm6qY
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQbpIRoiyh
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6pnb51PUZ
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ISlNYTJJs
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNC4oIzSvz
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO0PAgITGb
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTcmtCkr1S
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPllGaZwsWb
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtLNNoh2ji
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYSDZpth67
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH9V8HVEnL
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqdVpYKvUx
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7UTHvMUAT
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgpA6gwzqQ
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FbXAOje1N
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx1BmEkzAU
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFGHOhzDZr
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohc4rwC1Jp
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNld4kA7i4
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGN9rgcbJz
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Zl63ChNV7
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34qTKAPNtN
injured.
“Come with me.”127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWcaec01ve
He said. “I can protect you.”
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“I don’t need127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu3W5lqekN
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA4aRpqZ8K
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI30iNfIv7
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN9SVzB9Ah
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ017XglNdvi
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoCPR72yVO
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
